Tobias Delius Quartet - Carlos Ward Lowlands Trio

An essential aspect of the music of the Lowlands Trio and of the Tobias Delius Quartet is the use of minuscule motifs which are employed to introduce and connect themes or compositions. The trio is a meeting of three improvisers in the most exposed point of the performance environment: in chamber music. These musicians put their technical faculties at the service of the other players and the music, which they create. The result is a definite swing, combined with a duly saturated sound depiction, which perhaps has its apotheosis in modern classicism - subtle, elegant and entertaining; clear, precise and accessible, without buttering up to the audience. The music of the Tobias Delius Quartet strikes some as a lip smacking cocktail, for others it's a bizarre hotchpotch. Truly flabbergasting about Delius is his amazing aptitude to soak up every tune. His play is forceful, emotive and emotional, with a natural knack for score. His compositions are melodic, eccentric on occasion, the kind of work which can put you in a state of trance. Everyone agrees that his quartet is just a fantastic group with a substantial sense of trust in the individual musician, which may be the reason why they constantly challenge each other. There is energy, there is humour - no wonder Han Bennink is in this club - serenity and formal aspects are by no means shunned. The strength of the quartet lies in the full command of the farthest reaches of the instruments.